Civil Rights

When I soak in the lecture in class about the Harlem Renaissance, I take away from that a new perspective on African American progression through art. The Harlem Renaissance was originally known as the New Negro Movement, and it was sparked by the huge migration of slaves into northern cities in early 1920’s. The outcome of this massive wave of people was culminated into a beautiful artistic movement that consisted of writings that redefined the African American perspective, and music that lifted the African American culture to new heights.
The basic idea or definition of the Civil Rights Movement was more of a fight than a movement if you think about it. But this fight did not consist of fisticuffs and broken pool sticks. This fight was one of civil disobedience, and the fight happened every day. When Mrs. Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus, and when Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to thousands on Capitol Hill, and when Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the one fist solute to the rights of all African Americans, the fight was present. And this slow struggle to gain full freedom in a country that was not one of choice for this people, but force. And to think that this struggle of freedom and basic rights still plagues some African Americans today. The struggle was the opponent in the other side of the ring. And we can only hope that the fight will at least slow down, as we saw in the class video with Tom Wise, racial prejudice is still very present in our everyday lives, and racial violence still kills millions of people to date.
The SNCC refers to the Student Nonviolence Coordinating Committee, and the group was originally founded by Ella Baker held at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. It started primarily as a civil rights activist group and at end of the life of the company it was directed in a different but equally important issue, feminism. With the new feminism movement came the same traditions from the civil rights movement of sit-ins and various protest activities.
The Shaman in the old eastern mythology was a man that was not granted the right of high priest, but he was ordained to become Shaman through his experiences of a higher bliss, it was as if he was meant to lead and preach his message. I think this is true of both Martin and Malcolm, in that by some miracle and invisible force lived inside them that told them to stand up against prejudice and hate. The difference between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X is a simple product of environment. Experience is what shapes all human beings personalities and beliefs. Martin Luther obviously grew up in a different environment with different philosophies taught to him during his youth. Martin’s father was a reverend and might have taught Martin the stories of Gandhi and non-violent civil disobedience. The difference between them is their own personal journey to follow their dream.
I believe in a certain way that the civil rights movement did accomplish many of the goals it set out in order to gain to freedom in America. Now to say that the problem is completely fixed just because the President of the U.S. is an African American is a complete overstatement. A struggle to survive and live ideal life is process and we get closer to bliss everyday. Or do we.

Privilege

I can call any member of my family in a time of chaos and they will be there for me.

I can be pretty sure that

 there will be food on the table every day.

I can go run around and be active in the physical aspect of life and not have to worry about aches or pains.

I can always go down the street and McDonalds will be there.

I have the ability to function cognitively and participate in college courses.

I can be sure that when I make money, my parents will help me keep it safe.

I can be sure that all my favorite sports teams will play their hearts out to win the game.

I do not have to work everyday.

I can come home and go to sleep in the afternoon if I want to.

I can always call up my friends and they will be there for support and activities.

I am very privileged to own an xbox 360.

I can turn on my TV and get lost in regular programming for hours.

I do not have to go to the hospital every day and check on my health.  I have been very healthy throughout life.

I am very privileged to have my mother who is my inspiration and would be there for me even if I committed murder. 

I can come home from a long day to my best friend my dog named bernie.

I can go to a great church on sunday and worship.

If I should fail a task, my friends and family will be there to pick me back up again.

I can go on itunes and download my favorite music whenever I want.

I think that we as a people are much more privileged than we think, and this exercise has helped me realize that.  I am happy and privileged to be in African American Studies.    

NAACP

Throughout the history of African American presence in America, the most influential organization hands down has been the (NAACP) or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Historically, the NAACP has been instrumental in working for African American people, by fulfilling their goals in the American legal system and also working for full suffrage and other civil rights.. Prominent figures such as W. E. B. Du Bois, Fredrick Douglas, and Booker T. Washington have all been members of the NAACP and helped to essentially put an end to segregation, and racial violence.

The Oklahoma section of the NAACP has also been very influential in African American society. Most of the influence came through the American legal system, and the winning of cases based on civil rights. One case was Allen v. Oklahoma City (1935), in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Oklahoma's attempt to create what was called a "segregation zone" in the city.

My feelings after listening to the two speakers are mixed and filled with emotion. On the one hand, I am extremely proud of all the accomplishments of the African American people. To have such tremendous opposition from a majority of the people in the United States, and still come together to form organizations in the pursuit of equality is amazing. But on the other hand, I am ashamed that my ethnic group was responsible for all the suffering and racial injustice. I will never forget the first time I heard about the Emmitt Till case. Emmitt Till was an African American boy probably fifteen years old, and while walking into a store he said, "Hey baby!" to a Caucasian girl. Now Emmitt was from the north and at this time in the fifties, it might have been acceptable to greet white women, but in Mississippi where Emmitt was visiting it most defiantly was not. Emmitt was lynched and killed that same afternoon, the police found his body in the river, beaten beyond recognition and tied to a cotton wheel. The men that had committed the crime went to trial and of course like many other cases in the south, were found innocent. This incident has always hurt my heart and it shows the true nature of southern hatred towards African Americans.

African American Presence

The African American culture has had a huge impact on mainstream American Society, and their culture’s presence in this nation is a key factor to this nation’s success. To think that just fifty years ago our President, John F. Kennedy was making civil rights speeches on television, and now our first black President, Barack H. Obama was just sworn in on national television on Jan. 20, 2009. The impact of the African American culture is very inspirational when you look at all the accomplishments of African American prominent figures throughout history. Most of them were associated in one form or fashion with civil rights, and JFK makes a quote from a speech during the civil rights movement, and the video as seen on youtube at, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWX_pjyIq-g, the quote states, “In this nation, for all its hopes, will not be fully free until all of its citizens are free” (John F. Kennedy).
I believe that due to all of the social changes that occurred in the last fifty years, is the proof that the Constitution of America is true and all humans are created equal under the eyes of God, and now that Barack was sworn in this nation can finally take another step toward feeling fully free. This is why I want to enroll in African American Studies, because I think it is necessary for every student to learn about the important culture that helped shaped America, and still has a major influence on mainstream society.
One of the most prominent historical African American figures was Mohamed Ali. His most famous quote was, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” He would have to be my favorite historical figure because of all the things he did for Civil rights as well as his boxing accomplishments. His picture can be seen at http://bacdr78.free.fr/Mohammed%20ali%202.jpg.